Deep-well pump



April 20 1926- Y 581,890 A. c. ruNlsQN DEEP WELL PUMP Filed April 9. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 20 1926.

A. C. TUNISON DEEP WELL PUMP Filed April 9, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 30m WM i A TTORNEY'.

Patented Apr. 20, V1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

l ARTHUR C. TUNISQN, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

DEEP-WELL PUMP.

v Application led April 9,

specification.

This invention relates to pumps for deep wells, and has for one of its obJects to pro vide an apparatus of this character which will be simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and install, and more efficient in use than those which have been heretofore proposed. v

In operating wells, such for example as oil wells, at depths .of five thousand feet or more, where the well known type of oil well pump, employing sucker rods, is used, much difficulty, annoyance and expense is encountered, due to inherent defects in sucker rods.

lThese rods frequently crystallze and break, thereby causing considerable loss in both time andmoney in repairing the damage, and in wells of the depth mentioned, the operation of the pumps is more or less hampered, due to the .elasticity of the rods themselves. In a well of five thousand feet, for example, the sucker rods will stretch as muchas three feet from their own weight on each working stroke, and the operation ofl the pumps is thereby rendered more or less uncertain. This elasticity `or stretching is greatly affected by the speed of the stroke, since the faster the vrods are reciprocated, the greater willbe the elasticity, and therefore the speed is more or less limited.

In order to overcome these defects and to i provide a deep well pump which will operate more efficiently, the present invention con- .templates theprovision of a pump which does not employ sucker rods, but in which, on the other hand, the lifting force is supplied by fluid, such as oil under pressure,A

which is supplied to one or more pump units located at various depths in the well casing, which units comprise suitable fluid pressure actuated pistons and valves for controlling .the same. Suitable apparatus :is also provided at the surface for supplying the necessary pressure to the operating fluid.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, theinvention consists in`the novel details of construction and combinations 1924. serialy No. 705,379.

vational view of the'pumping apparatus for a deep well, such for example as an oil Well, constructed in accordance with vthe present invention; 1- V Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the principal working parts of the Pump S Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the valvey sleeve which controls the fluid pressure flow to and from the pump piston;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the valve stem or rod; and,

Fig. 5 is an inverted plan view of the guiding plug which is mounted in the lower end of the piston plunger and through which the valve stem passes.

Referrin more particularly to the said drawings t e numeral 10 indicates the well casing, which is inserted in the well bore and advanced as the bore descends, as is well known. T-he pump barrel 11 which comprises a metal tube 'or pipe of somewhat smaller diameter than the casing 10, is introduced into the latter and lowered to the required depth. The said barrel is spaced from the walls of the casing 10 and its lower end suitably packed by means of the packing ring 12, thereby providing an annular space or chamber 13 between the two which serves as aconduit for conducting the pressure fluid from the surface to the operating parts of the pump.

Mounted within thel barrel 11 and suita; bly spaced therefrom by a spacing ring or member 14, is the pump. cylinder 15, which may likewise comprise a metallic tube or pipe of somewhatlesser diameter than the barrel 11, whereby there is provided a second annular space or chamber 16, through which the oil from the well may be raised when the pump is operated, as will appear moreY fully below. p

The lower end of the barrel 11 is closed by a plug member 17 which is provided with a passage 18 therethrough, which passage is controlled by means of a suitable check valve diagrammatically indicated at 19. The

walls of the pump cylinder are provided adjacent the lower end of the said cylinder withsuitable perforations 20, whereby com# munication is afforded between the interior- Y d larged head 44, the outer periphery of which of the lower portion of the said cylinder an the annular space 16, and immediately above the said perforations, the said cylinder is provided with a closing plug 21, which has a passage 22 controlled by the valve 23 carried by the lower end of the valve rod or stem 24.

The said pump cylinder l5 is also provided with suitable inlet passages 26, leading from the annular space 13 to the interior of `the said cylinder, which latter is also provided with a plurality of outlet passages or bores 27, affording communication between the interior of the said cylinder and the annular s ace 16.v

Slida ly mounted Within the pump cylinder 15 in operative position relative to the bores 26 and 27 is a valve sleeve 28, prefer-v ably comprising a tube member, the walls of which are perforated adjacent its upper end as indicated at 29, to provide inlet bores or openings for the actuating fluid, and which sleeve is provided below the said bores or openings 29 with the spider arms 3() which supportthe central valve stem guide 3l, as will be clearfrom Figs. 2 and 3.

The exterior surface of the valve sleeve 28 is preferably provided with suitable packing rings 32, affording afiuid tight joint with the walls of the pump cylinder, and the said sleeve is also provided with an expansion ring 33 which normally resses outward against the walls of the cy inder, and which, at a certain point in the stroke of the valve sleeve, enters an annular groove 34 formed in the cylinder walls, whereby the said valve sleeve may be temporarily retained in its discharge position, all as will appear more fully below. j.

Slidably mounted in the pump barrel 11, above the upper end of the pump cylinder 15, is a piston 35, which may be provided i4with suitable packing rings 36, and which is also provided with a suitable passage 37, leading from the under to the upper side thereof, which passage is controlled by a suitable ball or other check valve, diagrammatically indicated at 38, which valvewill permit the passage of fluid upwardly, but will prevent it in a return direction.

The said piston 35 is provided with a downwardly extending hollow plunger 39, which slidably fit-s within the upper portion of the pump lcylinder 15, aswill be clear from ,Figs 1 and- 2. This plunger may also vbe providedI with suitable packing rings to afford a fluidl tight joint with the walls of the pump cylinder. c

The valve stem 24 extends upwardly into the interior ofthe said hollow plunger 439, passing through a removable guiding plug 41, which is provided with suitable Huid pasf sages 42, surrounding the bore 43, through which the said valve stem passes, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The said 'stem 24 is provided at its upper end with an enmaybe cut away as indicated at to permit the. passage of fiuid therearound. colled compression spring 46 surrounds the valve stem 24, resting upon the valve stem guide 31, as will be clear from Figs. 1 and 47 also surrounds the said stemaudrests u on the upper surface of the guiding p ug 41. Y

The plunger' 39 is provided, just below the piston 35 with the transversely extending holes or passages 48, affording communication between the annular chamber 16 and the passage v37 through the piston 35, through which the oil from the pump may tind'its way into the portion of-the pump barrel above the said piston 35. The upper end of the barrel 11 is closed by a suitable plug 49, which is provided with a passage 50 controlled by' the ball or other check valve, diagramn'latieally indicated at 5l. The said plug 49 carries -the pipe or tube 52, which extends upwardly within the valve casing 10 to the surface, and which is provided With a suitable cap 53. A discharge pipe 54 leadsfrom the said pipe 52 to a suitable t-ank or receptacle 55 mounted adjacent the outlet of the well, which tank is preferably provided with an overflow pipe 56-and with a suitable sand valve 57 as shown. A pipe 58 leads from the tank 55 to the inlet side of a pump 59, which may be driven from any suitable source of power not shown, and the outlet side of the said pump is connected by means of a pipe 60 to a re- 2, and a second coiled compression spring A ceiver or pressure tank 61. A pipe 62'leads Y ceiver through the pipe 62 to the interior of Y the well casing 10, filling the annular space 13'between the said casing and the pump barrel. The said oil will pass through the pipes or passages 26 to and through the ports 29 of the valve sleeve 28 and will fill the interior of the pumj, cylinder, as will be readily understood. l v

The sail oil will be prevented from` escaping downwardly through the sand drain opening 22, due to the fact that the sand valve 23 is seated and its pressure will therefore be effective only to act upon the lower surface of the trunk .or plunger 39 to raise the same. portion of the said oil will pass upwardly through the passages 42 around the valve rod 24 and into the intey the pump barrel 1l, which will create a partial vacuum in the annular chamber 16 and will cause the oil trom the well, which is below the pump unit, to be drawn upwardly through the passage 18, past the check valve 19 and through the openings 2() into the said annular chamber 16, so long as the .piston 35 y ascends.

' l ust before the said piston 35 reaches the upward limit of its stroke, the-spring 47, which is being carried upwardly by the plunger 39 and plug member 4l, will engage the lower surface of the head 44 of the valve stem 24, but the said spring is of such strength that'it will not raise the said valve stem but will be compressed. As the 11pward movement of the plunger 39 continues however, the bushing or collar 66 will engage the said head 44, whereupon any further upward movementof the plunger 39 will be positively transmitted to the head 44 and valve stem 24 to raise the latter. This upward movement of the valve stem will, of course, unseat the sand valve 23, to perniit any sand which has collectedv within the pump cylinder, to be discharged downwardly through the passage 22, and the said upward movement of the valve stem 24 will also carry with it the valve sleeve 28 to move the ports 29 out of register with the passages 426, thereby cutting off the supply of iuid pressure from the annular space 13. The sleeve 28 will be moved upwardly a suilicient distance so that its lower edge will clear the discharge ports 27, at which point the expansion ring 33 will enter the groove 34 formed on the interior of the cylinder walls to temporarily maintain the valve sleeve 28 in this raised position.

The discharge ports 27, having thus been opened, the fluid within the pump cylinder 15 will discharge through the said ports into the annular space 16, and when the pressure within the cylinder is thus relieved, the piston 35, together with its plunger 39,' will descend under the action of gravity. This descent will continue, the valve sleeve. 28,

however,in the-meantime, remaining in' its raised or discharge position until the plug member 4l engages and compresses the spiral spring 46 to such an extent that its pressure will overcome the frictional resistance ofthe expansion ring 33 with the groove 34, to release the saine, whereupon continued downward movement ofthe piston 35 and plunger 39 will carry with itthe valve sleeve 28 to close the discharge ports 27 and again open the inlet ports 26 and 29.

The cycle will then be again repeated and the oil which has been drawn into the annular space 16 from the well, together with the oil which has been discharged into the said space from the pump cylinder, will be raised within the space 16 until it passes out through the passages 48 and 37 around the check valve 38 and into the upper portion ot the pump barrel. As the strokes are multiplied, oil within this portion of the pump barrel will be 'forced upwardly, past the check valve 51, into the receiving pipe or tube 52, and thence through the pipe 54 into the tank 55. As the oil is accumulated in the said tank beyond that necessary for the operation of the pump mechanism, it is withdrawn by means of the pipe 56 'tor storage or further treatment.

It will thus be seen that this invention provides a pumping mechanism which is particularly adapted for use in deep wells, and which may be effectively operated to raise the, oil without the use ot sucker or olish rods, whereby the usual inherent deects and expenses attached to such rods may totally be eliminated. As above stated, two or more of these pumping units may be'installed at various depths in` the well, thereby permitting of the withdrawal of oil or of fluid from very deep wells. Any number of units may be simultaneously operated, each being fed by fluid underpressure from the annular space 13 and each raising the iuid from the well, together with the discharge actuating fluid, a considerable distance, until it reaches a point where it will be acted upon by the next succeeding unit.

The length of the stroke of the piston may be varied within wide limits, to suit various operating conditions, and the speed at which the pump may be operated is practically limited only by the speed at which the piston 35 will descend under the actiony of gravity.

venting the creation of a vacuum below the piston, due to the compression and expansion of the gas. The compresslon occurs Vwhen the plunger goes down, and the expansion, when it rises, while the oil level is not affected.

On the other hand, with the present pump, the oil which is exhausted from the pump cylinder through the ports 27 into the space This materially aiiiects the' 16, acts as an absorbent for this gas and carries it to the surface when the pump is operated, until all of the gas has been moved, when the oil from the well will be drawn into the pump barrel in' the manner above disclosed by the vacuum created by the piston 35.

While one form of the invention has been illustrated and described it is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction as well as the arrangement of partsl without departing from the spirit of the invention, and therefore it is. not wished to be limited 'to the above disclosure, except as may be required by the accompanying claims.

Vliat is claimed is'.

1. In a deep well pumping apparatus the combination with a well casing of a pump p barrel positioned within said casing. and spaced from the walls thereof; a pump cylinder Within said barrel, spaced from the walls thereof; a piston-slidably mounted in said barrel and provided with a trunk extending into said cylinder; fluid conducting connections between said cylinder and the space between said casing and said barrel; means for continuously supplying Huid under pres' sure to said last mentioned space; and means for conducting fluid from'said barrel. 2. In a deep well pumping 'apparatus the combination with a well Icasing of a pump barrel positioned within said casing and spaced from the walls thereof; a pump cylinder within said barrel, spaced from the walls thereof; a piston slidably mounted in said barrel and provided with a trunk extending into said cylinder; fluid conducting connections between said cylinder and the space between said casing and said barrel; a valve automatically operable by the movements of said piston -and trunk, for controlling lsaid fluid conducting passages; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said last mentioned space; and means for conducting fluid from said barrel.

'3. In a deepwell pumping apparatus the combination with a Well casing of. a Huid pressure pump including a barrel mounted within said casing in spaced relation to the walls thereof,` a cylinder within said barrel, spaced from the walls thereof, and a piston slidably mounted in said barrel, having a trunk extending into said cylinder;- fluid conducting connections between the interior of said cylinder and the space between said casing and barrel; -a closed conduit within said casing for conducting fluid from' said barrel to the surface; and an external pump and connections for supplying fluid under pressure continuously in one direction to the space between said casing and barrel. 4. A pump for deep wells 'comprising a barrel adapted to be inserted in a well casing in spaced relation to the walls thereof;

passage, and provided 'a pum cylinder within said barrel, spaced from t e walls thereof; a piston working in said barrel, provided with a trunk working in sai-d cylinder; means for admitting uid under pressure into said cylinder; and a valve for controlling said admission, operable by the movements of said piston and trunk.

5. A pump for deep wells comprising a barrel adapted to be inserted in a well casing in spaced relation to the walls thereof; a cylinder within said barrel, spaced from the walls thereof to provide an annular passage, and provided with outlet passages affording communication between the interior of said cylinder and said annulaipassage; means for introducing fluid from outside of said barrel into said cylinder; a iston working in said barrel, provided with a trunk working in said cylinder; and a valve 'in said cylinder for controlling the admission and exhaust of fiuid thereto and therefrom, said valve being operable by movements of said piston and trunk.

6. A pump for'deep wells comprising a barrel adapted to be inserted in a Well casing in spaced relation to the walls thereof; a. cylinder within said barrel, spaced from the walls thereof to provide an annular with outlet passages affording communication between the interior of said cylinder and said annular passage; means for introducing iuid from outside of said barrel into said cylinder; a piston working in said barrel, provided with a trunk working in said cylinder; a valvtl in said cylinder for controlling the admission and exhaust of fluid thereto and therefrom, said valve being operable by movements of said piston and trunk; and means for yieldingly retaining said valve in its exhaust position.

7. A pump for deep Wells comprising a barrel adapted to be inserted in a well casing in spaced relation to the walls thereof; a cylinder within saidbarrel, spaced from. the Walls'thereof to provide an annular' passage, and provided with an interior annular groove and with'outletpassages affording communication between the interior of said cylinder and said annular passage;

means for introducing iuid from outside of said barrel into said cylinder; a piston working in said barrel, provided with a trunk working in saidl cylinder; a val-ve in said cylinder for controlling the admission and exhaust of fluid thereto and therefrom',

said valve being operable by movements of I said piston and trunk; and means comprising an expansion ring carried by said valve and adapted to engage said groove for yieldingly retaining said valve in its exhaust position. p

8. A pump for deep wells comprising a barrel adapted to be inserted in a well casing in spaced relation to the Walls thereof; a cylinder within said barrel, spaced from the Walls thereof to provide an annular fluid conducting passage, said cylinder l1aving fluid inlet passages leading from outside` said barrel and outlet passages leading to said annular space; a plug having a. passage therethrough, closing the lower end of said cylinder; a valved piston Working in said barrel, provided with a trunk working in said cylinder; a valve stem slidably carried bys'aid trunk, and provided With a valve for controlling said plug passage; and a eylin-v der valve sleeve slidably mounted, on said valve stem, operable by movements ofsaifl piston and trunk for controlling said inlet andoutlet passages.

9. A pump for deep Wells comprising a barrel adapted to be inserted in a Well casing in a cylin er Within said barrel, spaced from aced relation to the Walls thereof;

'sald barrel, and outlet passages leading to said annular space; a plug having a passage barrel, rovided with a trunk Working in said cylinder; a valve stem slidably carried by said trunk, and provided with a valve for controlling said plug passage; aI cylinder valve sleeve slidably mounted on said valve stein, operable by movements of said piston and trunk for controlling said inlet and outlet passages;`means carried by said valve sleeve for temporarily maintaining said sleeve in its exhaust position; and springs surrounding said valve stem for cushioning the movements of said sleeve.

' ARTHUR o. TUNIsoN.

' therethrough, closing the lower end of said cylinder; a valved piston Working in said 

